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Bioreactor

a bioreactor and microorganism technology, applied in the field of bioreactors, can solve the problems of affecting the economic viability of photoautotrophic organisms for energy production affecting the economic viability of photoautotrophic organisms for growth and other high value products, so as to maximize the growth rate and maximize the growth of photoautotrophic organisms

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-10-07
ALGAEDYNE CORPORTION
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]One embodiment of the invention provides for a method of producing biomass comprising culturing a photoautotrophic organism in a medium contained in a bioreactor operably linked to a light source that emits photons to support growth of said photoautotrophic organism, wherein the light source is configured to yield a biomass production efficiency at no less than about 50, 5, 0.5, 0.05, or 0.005 milligrams of said biomass per kJ of energy that is supplied to the light source. Optionally, the photoautotrophic organism is genetically modified such that photon absorption capability is enhanced as compared to a corresponding wildtype photoautotrophic organism. The photoautotrophic organism can be genetically modified to have enhanced biomass production capability as compared to a corresponding wildtype photoautotrophic organism.
[0020]The present invention provides for a method of culturing a photoautotrophic organism comprising a) introducing said photoautotrophic organism to a bioreactor, wherein the bioreactor comprises a container operably linked to a light source that is configured to emit at least one or more wavelengths of light reaching said container; b) determining a growth profile of said phototrophic organism; and c) adjusting the at least one or more wavelengths of light based results of step b). Where desired, the at least one or more wavelengths are adjusted to maximize growth rate. Optionally, at least one or more wavelengths can be adjusted to maximize growth of the photoautotrophic organism relative to energy supplied to the light source. In some embodiments of the invention, the method can further comprise adjusting the light source to emit pulses of light.
[0025]In other embodiments of the invention, a method comprises culturing a photoautotrophic organism in a bioreactor operably linked to a light source that emits light for growth of said photoautotrophic organism, wherein the bioreactor comprises a container including a reflective element to substantially preclude light loss from or through said container.

Problems solved by technology

The price of crude oil has increased more than five times in the last six years, resulting in a significant economic strain to many regions.
However, the economic viability of growing photoautotrophic organisms for production of energy and other high value products is still hampered due to limitations in at least three different areas.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

example 1

A Bioreactor Powered by Photovoltaic Panels

[0247]FIG. 6 shows a bioreactor system deployed on a skid (281). The bioreactor system can comprise a bioreactor (294) and a solar photovoltaic panel array (282) that produces electricity during sunlight hours that is used directly, and charges a battery bank with controller (283). The electricity can be used to power the bioreactor system and all components therein. The bioreactor can comprise a light emitting source for supplying light to photoautotrophic organisms growing in one or more containers of the bioreactor. The one or more containers, a light emitting source, all electrical interconnection, and a computer loaded with the computer control programs to control the bioreactor system can be housed in an enclosure. Oxygen vents (293) can be used to vent unabsorbed gas and oxygen from the bioreactor.

[0248]A media tank (286) containing a growth media and the species of autotroph to be cultivated can be mounted on the skid. An intake val...

example 2

Energy Cycle for Using Solar Energy to Produce Energy and Biomass Products

[0249]FIG. 7 shows an energy cycle for producing renewable energy. Nature chose to sequester fossil fuels in the earth (265). Coal (266), oil (267), and natural gas (268) are used world wide for chemical fuels and increases the carbon dioxide (253) and other greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere (264). Exo-atmospheric carbon, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, can be replaced with a renewable energy sources, such as biomass (258). Biomass (258) can be produced using a process (257) that utilizes an optimized photosynthetic process in a bioreactor. The photosynthetic process can utilize nutrients (255), water (254), and light (252). Photoautotrophic organisms can be grown using the optimized photosynthetic process (258) and can be processed for oil (259), protein, carbohydrate, amino acids, dyes, and other organic compounds (260), and press cake (261). The press cake can be used for animal feedstock,...

example 3

Spectrum of Light Emitted by a White Light Emitting Diode

[0251]FIG. 8 shows a spectral distribution for a white light emitting diode. The vertical axis (111) is number of photons or relative luminescence intensity. The horizontal axis (112) represents wavelength. Position 113 represents 300 nm, which is the lower limit for photosynthetically available radiation. Position 114 represents about 800 nm. The white light emitting diode spectrum (117) falls between positions 115 and 116, which are between 113 and 114.

[0252]The sun has a temperature of approximately 5,774 Kelvin. The white light emitting diode has a distributed spectrum that approximates a 6,000 degree Kelvin blackbody radiator. The white light emitting diode can match the natural blackbody radiance of the sun.

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Abstract

The invention provides devices and methods for the growth of photoautotrophic organisms. The devices and methods address issues related to the design of bioreactors, selection of a photoautotrophic organism, growth of the photoautotrophic organisms, extraction of biomass products, and / or use of the biomass products as a renewable energy source.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 936,645, filed Jun. 22, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 003,575, filed Nov. 19, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 052,562, filed May 12, 2008, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The search for alternative and renewal sources of energy has become increasingly important in recent years. The price of crude oil has increased more than five times in the last six years, resulting in a significant economic strain to many regions. The increase in crude oil price is expected to continue as the oil reserves are diminishing and the demand for energy is expanding throughout the world.[0003]As the cost of fossil energy increases, producing renewable energy using alternative means is becoming more commercially attractive. Renewable energy can include any energy produced from ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): C12Q3/00C12M1/42C12N1/12C12N1/20C12N1/10
CPCC12M21/02C12M31/02C12M31/08C12M31/10C12N1/20C12M43/08C12N1/10C12N1/12C12M43/04Y02P20/59Y02E10/40F24S23/80F24S23/12
Inventor KINKAID, CHRISTOPHER PIPER TOBY
Owner ALGAEDYNE CORPORTION
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